Loss to follow-up may be reason for poor glaucoma medication adherence

PARIS — One reason for poor adherence to glaucoma therapy in a large data set in Australia could be loss to follow-up, study authors reported here.

The data set was from Australia's universal Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which provides approximately 95% of prescription medications to the country's populace, according to study authors Paul Healey, BMedSc, MBBS, MMed, FRANZCO, and colleagues. Results were presented in a poster at the World Glaucoma Congress.

A total of 17,442 patients were initiated on a variety of glaucoma medications in the data set. Dr. Healey and colleagues found that with a 6-month cessation ruling, patient persistence by 6 months was 55.7%; by 12 months, it was 47.8%; and by 48 months, it was 30.2%, with a median persistence of 9 months. Those numbers were higher than in a 3-month cessation ruling.

"Persistence with glaucoma therapy in this inclusive long-term study was poor and similar to estimates in previous studies," Dr. Healey said. "This suggests a substantial disconnect between prescribers' intentions and patient behavior. Loss to follow-up may be a major reason for poor adherence to glaucoma medications."

Disclosure: Dr. Healey has no relevant financial disclosures.